Plopping down on the couch, I swipe at the screen and accept what is now a video call. “Hey.”
“Princess.” My dad’s voice cracks.
“Dad.”
“I owe you an apology.”
“You owe Cameron an apology.”
“He chose you.”
“Of course he did. He loves me,” I say without thinking.
Dad sucks in a breath. “I had to make sure. I know that dating has been hard for you. Your mother and I talked,” he confesses. “I know he’s playing for the Blaze, and he has his own career, but I had to be sure. I needed to push him to see how he felt about you.”
“I understand what you’re saying, but you need to learn to trust me. I can make my own choices. I’ve made it this far and done all right for myself.”
“It’s not that I don’t trust you, princess. I do. I just… I love you so damn much. You made me a dad for the first time, and I know you’re an adult, but dammit, I’m having a hard time with that.”
Cameron comes to sit next to me and kisses my cheek. “Cameron,” Dad says.
“Mr. Monroe.”
“My daughter tells me you’re good to her.”
“I love her.”
Dad nods. “I owe you an apology. Part of me was being an ass earlier, and part of me was testing you. I know Paisley has had too many guys in her life using her. Whether that’s to get to me or to the league or to her uncles, hell, I don’t know, but my daughter is my priority.”
“She’s mine too.”
Dad nods. “I’m having a hard time with that. For too long I was the man in her life. It’s not sunshine and roses knowing you’re being replaced.”
“Daddy, I’m not replacing you,” I say, tears welling in my eyes.
“I know you’re not, princess. But your old man is still having a hard time.”
“I love you,” I tell him.
“I love you too, Paisley Gray. More than you will ever know. Always speak from your heart, baby girl.” He shuffles, and Mom’s face appears on the screen.
“We love you, sweetheart,” Mom tells me. “You two enjoy the rest of your night. We’ll do dinner at our house when the two of you get back to town.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“Night,” my parents say at the same time.
“Night,” Cameron and I reply, and the call ends.
“Feel better?” he asks.
“I do. I guess I never really looked at this from his perspective.”
“Always two sides to every story.”
“We made some big claims tonight, Taylor.” I smile at him.
“We did?”
I push at his chest, laughing. “Oh, you forgot already? Maybe that means I should head to my place tonight.”
“I’m coming with you.”
“You sure about that?”
“Yes. Do you know what else I’m sure about?”
“What’s that?”
“That I love you.”
My smile remains as I press my palms to his cheeks. “I love you too.” I give him a loud, smacking kiss that makes us both laugh.
“You ready for bed? We need to get up early so we can pack and head to the stadium.”
“Yes. It’s been a long day.”
“That it has.” He stands and picks me up, tossing me over his shoulder in a fireman’s hold, and carries me to his room. He drops me on the bed, causing me to laugh harder. With a wink, he disappears into the bathroom while I grab one of his T-shirts to sleep in and quickly change.
Tonight started out as a shit show, but when Cameron stood up for me and then told me he loved me, my night turned around. And Dad calling, I know that was hard for him, and I love him for stepping up and calling me, calling us to apologize.
It’s as if hearing Cameron stand up for me solidified our relationship. It’s almost as if I’m finally able to love him freely without worry. He’s with me for me. I knew this, at least I hoped, but after tonight, I’m sure of it. Cameron Taylor loves me, and I love him. Excitement bubbles up inside me for what the future may hold for us.
Chapter 16
Cameron
Finally, a day off. I want nothing more than to just stay in bed with Paisley all damn day, but I have a surprise for her. Time off during the season is rare, and we have to make the best of it. Besides, if I get my way, my girl and I will be back at my place for an early dinner and lots of cuddle time.
Checking the time on my phone, I realize we’re going to be late. “Paisley!” I call down the hall to where she’s getting ready in my room, the room that I think of as ours. “We gotta go, babe.”
“This would be easier if you would tell me where we’re going.”
“I can’t do that. That would ruin the surprise.”
“Fine,” she grumbles, leaving my room, before leaning over the back of the couch to kiss me. “I’m ready.”
“Great.” Standing from the couch, I offer her my hand and lead her out the door. When I head toward her place, she pulls on my hand.
“What are we doing?”
“You’ll see,” I say as I continue to her door. I knock once, and the door flies open. Willow greets us, smiling.
“Hey. Ready?” she asks.
“Wil?” Paisley asks. “What’s going on?”
Willow points her finger at me. “Your man here told me I wasn’t allowed to tell you.” She shrugs, and bounces off to my truck.
“Cam, what’s going on?”
“I told you. I have a surprise for you.”
“I thought that was code for you and me spending the day together.”
“We are spending the day together.”
“Alone,” she says under her breath.
“That’s later. Trust me. No way am I not getting some alone time with you on our day off. But first, I have a surprise for you.” She opens her mouth to speak but quickly closes it. “Speechless?” I ask her.
“Kind of, yeah. I can’t figure out what you’re up to.”
“You’ll see.” I lead her to the passenger side of my truck and open the door for her.
“When can we tell her?” Willow asks when I slide in behind the wheel.
I glance in the rearview mirror at her. “Not until we get there.”
“Please, let me tell her,” Willow begs.
“No.” I busted my ass to arrange today. It’s been a challenge, and at times, I even felt like I was cheating on her. I was dodging phone calls so I could take them when she was in the shower or away from the locker room, which is a whole other mess. It’s a lot of work to plan a surprise, especially when you spend so much time with the person you’re trying to surprise.
“Fine,” she grumbles, sitting back and crossing her arms over her chest. I can’t help but chuckle at her.
“The suspense is killing me,” Paisley says from her seat beside me.
“Give us about fifteen more minutes or so, and we’ll be there.”
“Wait,” Willow announces. I glance at her in the mirror, and she’s digging through her purse. She smiles as she lifts an eye mask. “We should make her wear this.”